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GLOSSARY  OF  AQUATIC  ECOLOGICAL  TERMS 


Environmental  Protection  Agency 


February  1972 


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DISTRIBUTED  BY: 


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National  Technical  Information  Service 
U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF   COMMERCE 


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GLOSSARY  OF  AQUATIC  ECOLOGICAL  TERMS 


compiled  by 

John  E.  Matthews 
Aquatic  Biologist 


Reproduced    by 

NATIONAL  TECHNICAL 
INFORMATION  SERVICE 

US  Department  of  Commerce 
Sptinofield,  VA.   22)51 


Manpower  Development  Branch 
Air  and  Water  Programs  Division 

Region  VI 

Environmental  Protection  Agency 

Ada,  Oklahoma  74820 

September  1969 

Revised 

February  1972 


(I 


PREFACE 


This  Glossary  is  intended  to  provide  familiarity  and  under- 
standing of  technical  terminology  specific  to  the  discipline  of 
aquatic  ecology  and  will  serve  as  a  convenient  reference  for  all 
professionally  trained  persons  concerned  with  water  pollution  control. 

Definitions  have  been  carefully  reviewed  to  assure  accord  with 
current  professional  usuage.  Appreciation  is  tendered  to  biologists 
of  the  following  Environmental  Protection  Agency  activities  for 
this  service:   Robert  S.  Kerr  Water  Research  Center,  Ada,  Oklahoma; 
National  Field  Investigations  Center,  National  Training  Center, 
Analytical  Quality  Control  Laboratory,  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  National 
Water  Quality  Laboratory,  Duluth,  Minnesota;  National  Marine  Water 
Quality  Laboratory,  West  Kingston,  Rhode  Island. 

Terms  specifically  identifying  or  describing  organisms  have 
generally  been  excluded  from  this  work.   For  this  information  the 
reader  is  referred  to  the  selected  references  presented  in  the 
appendix.   Glossaries  of  terminology  related  to  other  disciplines 
concerned  with  water  pollution  control  are  also  listed  in  the 
appendix. 

Terms  underscored  in  a  definition  are  separately  defined 
in  this  Glossary.  Where  appropriate,  closely  associated  or 

related  terms  are  cited  parenthetically,  (See ),  following 

the  definition.   Specific  synonyms  are  noted,  in  parentheses, 
with  the  listed  word. 


John  E,  Matthews 


A-/ 


ABYSSAL  ZONE 


All  of  a  sea,  or  a  very  deep  lake  below  the 
bathyal  zone.  The  primary  energy  source  for 
this  region  lies  far  above  in  the  euphotic  zone; 
density  of  life  depends  on  the  amount  of  organic 
material  that  settles  from  the  euphotic  zone. 
(See  Hadal  Zone) 


ACCLIMATION 


Physiological  and  behavioral  adjustments  of  an 
organism  in  response  to  a  change  in  environment, 
(See  Adaptation) 


ACCLIMATIZATION 


Acclimation  of  a  particular  species  over 
several  generations  in  response  to  marked 
environmental  changes. 


ACUTE  TOXICITY 


ACTINOMYCETES 


Any  toxic  effect  that  is  produced  within  a 
short  period  of  time,  usually  24-96  hours. 
Although  the  effect  most  frequently  considered 
is  mortality,  the  end  result  of  acute  toxicity 
is  not  necessarily  death.  Any  harmful  biological 
effect  may  be  the  result.   (See  Chronic  Toxicity, 
Direct  Toxicity) 

Filamentous  microorganisms  intermediate  between 
the  fungi  and  bacteria,  although  more  closely 
related  to  the  bacteria.  These  organisms  are 
widely  distributed  in  soils  and  are  often 
conspicuous  in  lake  and  river  muds.  They  are 
often  associated  with  taste  and  odor  problems 
in  water  supplies. 


A-2 
ADAPTATION 


Change  in  the  structure,  form  or  habits  of  an 
organism  to  better  fit  changed  or  existing 
environmental  conditions.   (See  Acclimation) 


AEROBIC 


Refers  to  life  or  processes  occurring  only  in 
the  presence  of  free  oxygen;  refers  to  a 
condition  characterized  by  an  excess  of  free 
oxygen  in  the  aquatic  environment.   (See 
Anaerobic) 


ALGAE  (Alga) 


Simple  plants,  many  microscopic,  containing 
chlorophyll.  Algae  form  the  base  of  the 
food  chain  in  aquatic  environments.   Some 
species  may  create  a  nuisance  when  environmental 
conditions  are  suitable  for  prolific  growth. 


ALLOCHTHONOUS 


Pertaining  to  those  substances,  materials  or 
organisms  in  a  waterway  which  originate  outside 
and  are  brought  into  the  waterway.   (See 
Autochthonous  ^ 


ALLUVIAL 


Pertaining  to  material  that  is  transported 
and  deposited  by  running  water. 


ALLUVIAL  FAN 


(Delta) 


ANABOLISM 


Synthesis  or  manufacture  of  organic  compounds 
within  an  organism.   (See  Metabolism) 


A- 3 
ANADROMOUS 


Pertaining  to  fishes  that  spend  most  of  their 
life  in  salt  water  but  enter  freshwater  to 
spawn;  e.g.,  salmon,  shad,  striped  bass,  etc. 
(See  Catadromous) 


ANAEROBIC 


Refers  to  life  or  processes  occurring  in  the 
absence  of  free  oxygen;  refers  to  conditions 
characterized  by  the  absence  of  free  oxygen. 
(See  Aerobic) 


ANTAGONISM 


Reduction  of  the  effect  of  one  substance 
because  of  the  introduction  or  presence  of 
another  substance;  e.g.,  one  substance  may 
hinder,  or  counteract,  the  toxic  influence 
of  another.   (See  Synergism) 


APHOTIC  ZONE 


That  portion  of  a  body  of  water  to  which 
light  does  not  penetrate  with  sufficient 
intensity  to  have  any  biological  significance. 
(See  Euphotic  Zone) 


AQUATIC  VASCULAR 
PLANTS 


(Higher  Aquatic  Plants) 


ARTIFICIAL 
SUBSTRATE 


A  device  placed  in  the  water  (for  a  specified 
period  of  time)  that  provides  living  spaces 
for  a  multiplicity  of  organisms;  e.g.,  glass 
slides,  concrete  blocks,  multiplate  samplers, 
rock  baskets,  etc.  The  primary  purpose  of 
artificial  substrates  is  to  allow  the  investi- 
gator to  collect  organisms  in  areas  where  the 
physical  habitat  is  limiting  or  cannot  be 
adequately  sampled  using  conventional  methods. 


A-4 


ASSIMILATION 


1.  Removal  of  dissolved  or  suspended  materials 
from  a  water  mass  by  biological,  chemical 
and  physical  processes; 

2.  Conversion  or  incorporation  of  absorbed 
nutrients  into  body  substances.   (See 
Synthesis) 


ASSOCIATION 


All  organisms  occupying  a  given  habitat. 


ATOLL 


Large,  thick,  coral  mass  encircling  a  lagoon 
in  tropical  oceans;  cometimes  portions  of  the 
reef  become  built  up  with  sand,  silt,  soil  and 
vegetation  to  become  an  island.   (See  Barrier 
Reef,  Fringing  Reef) 


AUFWUCHS 


(Periphyton) 


AUTOCHTHONOUS 


Pertaining  to  those  substances,  materials, 
or  organisms  originating  within  a  particular 
waterway  and  remaining  in  that  waterway. 
(See  Allochthonous) 


AUTOTROPHIC 
(Holophytic) 


Self  nourishing;  denoting  those  organisms  that 
do  not  require  an  external  source  of  organic 
material  but  can  utilize  light  energy  and 
manufacture  their  own  food  from  inorganic 
materials;  e.g.,  green  plants,  pigmented 
flagellates.   (See  Heterotrophic) 


B-A 


BACTERIA 


Microscopic,  single-celled  or  noncellular 
plants,  usually  saprophytic  or  parasitic. 


BARRIER  BEACH 


A  ridge  of  deposits  separated  from  the 
mainland  by  an  interval  of  water. 


BARRIER  REEF 


Large,  thick,  coral  mass  more  or  less 
surrounding  an  island  or  paralleling  the 
mainland  shore  in  tropical  areas;  separated 
from  the  land  mass  by  a  lagoon.   (See  Atoll, 
Fringing  Reef) 


BATHYAL  ZONE 


That  region  of  the  sea  that  extends  from  the 
euphotic  zone  to  the  bottom  of  the  continental 
slope.   Density  of  life  in  this  zone  depends 
on  organic  material  settling  from  the  euphotic 
zone  and  is  generally  inversely  proportional 
to  the  depth. 


BEACH 


The  zone  of  demarcation  between  land  and  water 
of  lakes,  seas,  etc.;  covered  by  sand,  gravel 
or  larger  rock  fragments. 


BENTHIC  REGION 


The  bottom  of  a  waterway;  the  substratum  that 
supports  the  benthos . 


B-2 
BENTHOS 


Organisms  growing  on  or  associated  principally 
with  the  bottom  of  waterways.  These  include: 

(1)  sessile  animals  such  as  sponges,  barnacles, 
mussels,  oysters,  worms,  and  attached  algae; 

(2)  creeping  forms  such  as  snails,  worms  and 
insects;  (3)  burrowing  forms,  which  include 
clams,  worms,  and  some  insects;  and  (4)  fish 
whose  habits  are  more  closely  associated  with 
the  benthic  region  than  other  zones;  e.g., 
flounders. 


BIOASSAY 


A  determination  of  the  biological  effect  of 
some  substance,  factor  or  condition  employing 
living  organisms  or  cells  as  the  indicator. 


BIOCOENOSIS 


The  plants  and  animals  comprising  a  community. 


BIOLOGICAL 
CONTROL 


1.  Use  of  natural  predators,  parasites  or 
viruses  to  reduce  or  eliminate  pest 
organisms;  e.g.,  use  of  gambusia  to 
feed  on  mosquito  larvae; 

2.  Control  of  organisms  by  interference 
with  their  physiological  processes; 
e.g.,  sterilization  of  male  flies. 


BIOLOGICAL 
MAGNIFICATION 


The  ability  of  certain  organisms  to  remove 
from  the  environment  and  store  in  their  tissues 
substances  present  at  nontoxic  levels  in  the 
surrounding  water.  The  concentration  of  these 
substances  becomes  greater  each  higher  step 
in  the  food  chain.   (See  Enrichment  Factor) 


B-3 
BIOMASS 


The  total  amount  of  living  material  in  a 
given  habitat  or  area;  or,  an  expression 
dealing  with  the  total  weight  of  a  given 
population  of  organisms. 


BIOMONITORING 


1.  Continuous  surveillance  of  an  effluent 
(or  dilution  thereof)  by  using  living 
organisms  to  test  its  suitability  for 
discharge  into  a  receiving  water. 

2.  Use  of  living  organisms  to  test  the 
quality  of  a  receiving  water  downstream 
from  a  waste  discharge.   (See  Bioassay) 


BIOSTIMULATION 


A  general  term  used  to  describe  the  complex 
set  of  factors  involved  in  the  growth  of  algae 
(and  other  organisms)  in  a  receiving  water 
due  to  the  addition  of  nutrients. 


BIOTA 


All  life  of  a  region. 


BIOTIC  FACTORS 
(Biological 
Factors) 


In  ecology,  those  environmental  factors  which 
are  the  result  of  living  organisms  and  their 
activities;  distinct  from  physical  and  chemical 
factors;  e.g.,  competition,  predation,  etc. 
(See  Ecological  Factor) 


BIOTIC  POTENTIAL 


The  inherent  capability  of  an  animal  to  multiply 
in  an  unrestricted  environment.   (See 
Environmental  Resistance) 


B-4 
BIOTOPE 


(Habitat) 


BLOODWORMS 


Midge  fly  larvae .  Many  of  the  species  have 
hemoglobin  in  the  blood  causing  a  red  color 
and  are  often  associated  with  rich  organic 
deposits.  Also,  the  common  name  for  certain 
of  the  marine  segmented  worms  (class  Polychaeta) . 
(See  Sludgeworms) 


BLOOM 


A  readily  visible  concentrated  growth  or 
aggregation  of  minute  organisms,  usually 
algae,  in  bodies  of  water. 


BRACKISH  WATERS 


Those  areas  where  there  is  a  mixture  of  fresh 
and  salt  water;  or,  the  salt  content  is 
greater  than  fresh  water  but  less  than  sea 
water;  or,  the  salt  content  is  greater  than 
in  sea  water. 


o/ 


CARNIVOROUS 


Pertaining  to  animals  that  feed  on  other 
animals.   (See  Herbivorous) 


CARRYING  CAPACITY 


The  maximum  quantity  of  organisms  that  any 
particular  habitat  can  support  over  an 
extended  period. 


CATABOLISM 


The  breakdown  of  organic  compounds  within  an 
organism.   (See  Metabolism) 


CATADROMOUS 


Pertaining  to  fish  that  spend  most  of  their 
life  in  freshwaters;  but  migrate  to  the  sea 
to  spawn;  e.g.,  american  eel.   (See  Anadromous) 


CATASTROPHIC 
DRIFT 


Massive  drift  of  bottom  organisms  under 
conditions  of  stress  such  as  floods  or  toxicity. 
(See  Drift  Organisms.  Incidental  Drift, 
Periodic  Drift) 


CHEMICAL 
STRATIFICATION 


A  layering  of  water  in  a  lake  because  of 
density  differences  owing  to  the  varying  or 
differential  concentrations  of  dissolved 
substances  with  depth.   (See  Stratification) 


CHLOROPHYLL 


Green  photosynthetic  pigment  present  in  many 
plant  and  some  bacterial  cells.  There  are  seven 
known  types  of  chlorophyll;  their  presence 
and  abundance  vary  from  one  group  of  photosyn- 
thetic organisms  to  another. 


C-2 


CHRONIC  TOXICITY 


Toxicity,  marked  by  a  long  duration,  that 
produces  an  adverse  effect  on  organisms.  The 
end  result  of  chronic  toxicity  can  be  death 
although  the  usual  effects  are  sublethal;  e.g., 
inhibits  reproduction,  reduces  growth,  etc. 
These  effects  are  reflected  by  changes  in  the 
productivity  and  population  structure  of  the 
community.   (See  Acute  Toxicity) 


CLASSIFICATION 


The  placing  of  organisms  into  groups  (or 
categories)  according  to  established  scientific 
requirements.   (See  Taxonomy) 


CLEAN  WATER 
ASSOCIATION 


An  association  of  organisms  found  in  any 
natural,  unpolluted  environment .  These 
associations  are  characterized  by  the  presence 
of  species  that  are  sensitive  to  environmental 
changes  caused  by  Introduction  of  pollutants. 
In  many  cases  the  presence  of  a  wide  variety 
of  species  with  relatively  few  individuals 
representing  any  one  of  them  is  also  a 
characteristic.   (See  Sensitive  Organisms, 
Tolerant  Association) 


COASTAL  PLAIN 


A  plain  between  the  sea  and  higher  land, 
usually  at  a  low  elevation. 


COASTAL  WATERS 


Those  waters  surrounding  the  continent  which 
exert  a  measurable  influence  on  uses  of  the 
land  and  on  its  ecology.  The  Great  Lakes 
and  the  waters  to  the  edge  of  the  continental 
shelf. 


C-3 

COASTAL  ZONE 


Coastal  waters  and  adjacent  lands  which  exert 
a  measurable  influence  on  the  uses  of  the  sea 
and  its  ecology.  The  zone  extends  onshore  to 
the  upper  reaches  of  the  tidal  zone  and  adjacent 
shore  areas.   (See  Estuary) 


COLD-BLOODED 
ANIMALS 


Animals  that  lack  an  internal  temperature 
regulating  mechanism  to  offset  external 
temperature  changes.  Their  body  temperature 
fluctuates  to  a  large  degree  with  that  of 
their  environment.   Examples  are  fish  and 
aquatic  invertebrates . 


COLONY 


A  distinguishable  localized  population  within 
a  species. 


COMMUNITY 


An  aggregation  of  organisms  within  a  specified 
area;  all  forms  of  life  inhabiting  a  common 
environment. 


COMPENSATION 
LEVEL 


The  depth  of  a  waterway  at  which  there  is  a 
balance  between  photosynthesis  and  respiration. 


COMPETITION 


The  effort  of  two  or  more  individuals  or 
species  of  a  community  to  utilize  some  of  the 
same  environmental  resources. 


COMPETITION  No  two  species  can  occupy  the  same  niche  at 

EXCLUSION  PRINCIPLE 
(Gause's  Rule) 


the  same  time. 


C-4 
CONSUMERS 


Heterotrophic  organisms,  chiefly  animals, 
that  ingest  other  organisms  or  particle 
organic  matter.  Often  divided  into  primary 
consumers  (Herbivores) ,  secondary  consumers 
(Carnivores  which  eat  primary  consumers),  etc. 
(See  Heterotrophic,  Trophic  Level) 


CONTINENTAL  SHELF 


The  shallow,  gently  sloping  portion  of  the 
seabottom  bordering  a  continent,  down  to  a 
depth  of  about  200  meters. 


CONTINENTAL  SLOPE 


The  steeply  sloping  portion  of  the  seabottom 
extending  seaward  from  the  continental  shelf. 


CORAL 


A  marine  member  of  the  phylum  Coelenterata 
which  secretes  a  hard  exoskeleton,  chiefly  of 
calcium  carbonate. 


CORAL  REEF 


Large  coral  mass  associated  with  coastal  areas 
in  the  tropics    (See  Barrier  Reef,  Fringing 
Reef,  Atoll) 


CRITERIA 


(Water  Quality  Criteria) 


CRITICAL  LEVEL 


(Threshold) 


CRITICAL  RANGE 


In  bioassays ,  the  range  of  magnitude  of  any 
factor  between  the  maximum  level  or  concentration 
at  which  no  organisms  die  to  the  minimum  level 
or  concentration  at  which  all  organisms  die 
under  a  given  set  of  conditions  in  a  given 
period  of  time. 


C-5 

CULTURAL  Acceleration  by  man  of  the  natural  process  of 

EUTROPHICATION      enrichment  (aging)  of  bodies  of  water. 

CULTURE  Cultivation  of  organisms  in  a  medium  containing 

necessary  nutrients. 


D-/ 


DECOMPOSERS 


(Reducers) 


DELTA 
(Alluvial  Fan) 


A  fan-shaped  deposition  of  silt,  sand,  gravel 
or  other  fine  materials  from  a  stream.  These 
occur  when  the  hydraulic  gradient  lessens 
abruptly,  as  in  the  discharge  of  a  stream 
into  a  lake,  or  a  river  into  an  ocean. 
(See  Alluvial) 


DENSITY 
(Population 
Species) 


The  number  of  individuals  in  relation  to  the 
space  in  which  they  occur;  refers  to  the 
closeness  of  individuals  to  one  another 
at  a  given  time. 


DENSITY 
STRATIFICATION 


(Stratification) 


DEPOSITING 
SUBSTRATES 


Bottom  areas  where  solids  are  being  actively 
deposited  because  of  slackening  movement  of 
the  transporting  agent.  These  often  occur 
in  the  vicinity  of  effluent  discharges. 
(See  Sludge  Deposits) 


DETRITUS 


Fragments  of  detached  or  broken  down  material. 


DIRECT  TOXICITY 


Toxicity  that  has  an  effect  on  organisms 
themselves  instead  of  having  an  effect  by 
alteration  of  their  habitat  or  interference 
with  their  food  supply.   (See  Acute  Toxicity, 
Chronic  Toxicity,  Indirect  Toxicity) 


D-2 
DIURNAL 


1.  Refers  to  an  event,  process,  or  specific 
change  that  occurs  every  day;  usually 
associated  with  changes  from  day  to  night. 

2.  Pertaining  to  those  organisms  that  are 
active  during  day  time.   (See  Nocturnal) 


DIVERSITY 


Pertaining  to  the  variety  of  species  within  a 
given  association  of  organisms.   Areas  of  high 
diversity  are  characterized  by  a  great  variety 
of  species;  usually  relatively  few  individuals 
represent  any  one  species .   Areas  with  low 
diversity  are  characterized  by  a  few  species; 
often  relatively  large  numbers  of  individuals 
represent  each  species. 


DOMINANT  SPECIES 


Species  of  a  community  which  by  their  activity, 
behavior,  or  number,  have  considerable 
influence  or  control  upon  the  conditions  of 
existence  of  associated  species;  species 
which  "controls"  its  habitat  and  food  web. 
(See  Predominant) 


DRIFT  ORGANISMS 


Benthic  organisms  temporarily  suspended  in  the 
water  and  carried  downstream  by  the  current. 
(See  Incidental  Drift,  Periodic  Drift, 
Catastrophic  Drift) 


l>-3 

DYSTROPHIC  LAKES      Shallow  lakes  with  hrown  water,  high  humic 

material  and  organic  matter  content,  low 
nutrient  availability,  poor  bottom  fauna, 
and  high  oxygen  demand;  oxygen  is  continually 
depleted  and  pH  is  usually  low.   In  lake  aging 
the  "age"  between  a  eutrophic  lake  and  a  swamp. 


EBB  TIDE 


E-/ 


That  period  of  tide  between  a  high  water  and 
the  succeeding  low  water;  falling  tide. 
(See  Flood  Tide) 


EC50 


Concentration  of  a  substance  producing  50% 
decrease  in  shell  growth. 


ECOLOGICAL  FACTOR 


Any  part  or  condition  of  the  environment  that 
influences  the  life  of  one  or  more  organisms. 
(See  Biotic  Factor) 


ECOLOGICAL  NICHE 


The  role  of  an  organism  in  an  ecosystem, 
its  activities  and  relationships  to  the 
living  and  nonliving  environment;  food 
and  nutrition  relationships  are  of  primary 
importance.  (See  Habitat  Niche) 


ECOLOGY 


Interrelationships  between  organisms  and  their 
environment . 


ECOSYSTEM 


A  community,  including  all  the  component 
organisms,  together  with  the  environment , 
forming  an  interacting  system. 


ECOTYPE 
(Habitat  Form) 


A  locally  adapted  population  of  a  species  which 
has  a  distinctive  limit  of  tolerance  to  envi- 
ronmental factors.   (Individuals  of  the  same 
species  may  appear  different  in  various 
habitats) . 


E-2 


EMERSED  (Emergent) 
AQUATIC  PLANTS 


Plants  that  are  rooted  at  the  bottom  of  a  body 
of  water,  but  project  above  the  surface;  e.g., 
cattails,  bulrushes,  etc.   (See  Floating 
Aquatic  Plants ,  Submersed  Aquatic  Plants) 


ENRICHMENT 


An  increase  in  the  quantity  of  nutrients 
available  to  aquatic  organisms  for  their 
growth.   (See  Eutrophication) 


ENRICHMENT  FACTOR 


Number  of  times  a  substance  is  concentrated 
in  the  tissue  of  an  organism  over  the 
concentration  in  its  environment.   (See 
Biological  Magnification) 


ENVIRONMENT 


All  external  influences  and  conditions  affecting 
the  life  and  development  of  an  organism  or 
community. 


ENVIRONMENTAL 
RESISTANCE 


Restriction  imposed  on  the  numerical  increase 
of  a  population  by  environmental  factors. 
(See  Biotic  Potential) 


EPILIMNION 


The  water  mass  extending  from  the  surface  to 
the  thermocline  in  a  stratified  body  of  water; 
the  epilimnion  is  less  dense  than  the  lower 
waters  and  is  wind-circulated  and  essentially 
homothermous.   (See  Hypolimnion) 


EQUILIBRIUM 


The  condition  in  which  a  population  or  community 
is  maintained  with  only  minor  fluctuations  in 
composition  over  an  extended  period  of  time. 


E-3 
ESTUARY 


That  portion  of  a  coastal  stream  influenced  by 
the  tide  of  the  body  of  water  into  which  it 
flows;  a  bay,  at  the  mouth  of  a  river,  where 
the  tide  meets  the  river  current;  an  area 
where  fresh  and  marine  waters  mix.   (See 
Positive  Estuary,  Inverse  Estuary,  Neutral 
Estuary,  Coastal  Zone) 


EULITTORAL  ZONE 


(Tidal  Zone) 


EUPHOTIC  ZONE 


The  lighted  region  of  a  body  of  water  that 
extends  vertically  from  the  water  surface 
to  the  depth  at  which  photosynthesis  fails 
to  occur  because  of  insufficient  light 
penetration. 


EURY- 


Prefix  meaning  wide;  e.g.,  euryhaline  refers 
to  a  wide  range  of  salienty  tolerance; 
eurythermal  refers  to  a  wide  range  of 
temperature  tolerance.   (See  Steno-) 


EUTROPHIC  LAKES 


Lakes  which  are  rich  in  nutrients  and  organic 
materials,  therefore,  highly  productive.  These 
lakes  are  often  shallow  and  seasonally  deficient 
of  oxygen  in  the  hypolimnion.   (See  Oligotrophic 
Lakes) 


E-4 

EUTROPHI CATION       The  natural  process  of  the  maturing  (aging)  of 

a  lake;  the  process  of  enrichment  with  nutrients, 
especially  nitrogen  and  phosphorus,  leading  to 
increased  production  of  organic  matter.   (See 
Cultural  Eutrophication,  Oligotrophia:  Lakes, 
Eutrophic  Lakes) 


F-/ 


FALCULTATIVE 


Refers  to  the  capability  of  an  organism  to 
live  under  varying  conditions;  e.g.,  a 
f alcultative  anaerobe  is  an  organism  that 
although  usually  living  in  the  presence  of 
free  oxygen  can  live  in  the  absence  of  free 
oxygen.   (See  Obligate) 


FALL  OVERTURN 


A  physical  phenomenon  that  may  take  place  in 
a  body  of  water  during  early  autumn.   The 
sequence  of  events  leading  to  fall  overturn 
include:   (1)  cooling  of  surface  waters, 

(2)  density  change  in  surface  waters  producing 
convection  currents  from  top  to  bottom, 

(3)  circulation  of  the  total  water  volume  by 
wind  action,  and  (4)  vertical  temperature 
equality.   The  overturn  results  in  a  uniformity 
of  the  physical  and  chemical  properties  of  the 
entire  water  mass.   (See  Spring  Overturn) 


FATHOM 


A  unit  of  measurement  equal  to  6  feet  (1.83 
meters) . 


FAUNA 


Animal  life . 


FIRTH 


A  narrow  arm  of  the  sea;  also  the  opening  of 
a  river  into  the  sea.   (See  Estuary) 


FJORD 
(Fiord) 


A  narrow  arm  of  the  sea  between  highlands . 
(See  Firth.  Estuary) 


F-2 


FLOATING  AQUATIC 
PLANTS 


Rooted  plants  that  wholly  or  In  part  float 
on  the  surface  of  the  water;  e.g.,  water  lilies, 
water  hyacinth  and  duckweek.   (See  Emersed 
Aquatic  Plants,  Submersed  Aquatic  Plants) 


FLOOD  TIDE 


That  period  of  tide  between  low  water  and  the 
succeeding  high  water;  a  rising  tide.   (See 
Ebb  Tide) 


FLORA 


Plant  life. 


FLUVIAL 


Of  or  pertaining  to  rivers;  growing  or  living 
in  streams;  produced  by  river  action,  as  a 
fluvial  plain. 


FOOD  CHAIN 


Dependence  of  a  series  of  organisms,  one  upon 
the  other,  for  food.  The  chain  begins  with 
plants  and  ends  with  the  largest  carnivores; 
e.g. ,  phytoplankton  ■»■  zooplankton  ■*  forage 
fish  -*■  game  fish. 


FOOD  CYCLE 
(Food  Web) 


All  the  interconnecting  food  chains  In  a 
community. 


FORAGE  FISH 


Fish,  usually  smaller  prolific  species,  that 
are  important  as  food  for  predatory  species. 


FREE-SWIMMING 
(Motile) 


Actively  moving  about  in  water  or  capable  of 
moving  about  in  water.   (See  Sessile) 


F-3 

FRINGING  REEF        Large  coral  mass  at  the  edge  of  any  land  mass 

In  tropical  seas;  It  begins  at  the  water's 
edge  and  may  extend  out  to  a  quarter  mile. 
(See  Barrier  Reef,  Atoll) 


G-/ 


GAME  FISH 
(Sport  Fish) 


Those  species  of  fish  considered  to  possess 
sporting  qualities  on  fishing  tackle;  e.g., 
salmon,  trout,  black  bass,  striped  bass,  etc. 
Game  fish  are  usually  considered  to  be  more 
sensitive  to  environmental  changes  than 
rough  fish. 


CAUSE'S  RULE 


(Competition-Exclusion  Principle) 


H-  / 


HABITAT 
(Biotope) 


A  specific  type  of  place  that  is  occupied  by 
an  organism,  a  population,  or  a  community. 


HABITAT  FORM 


(Ecotype) 


HABITAT  NICHE 


The  specific  part  or  smallest  unit  of  a  habitat 
occupied  by  an  organism.   (See  Ecological  Niche) 


HADAL  ZONE 


Pertaining  to  that  part  of  the  ocean  at  depths 
exceeding  6000  meters,  including  both  water 
and  floor  or  bottom.   (See  Abyssal  Zone) 


HERBICIDE 


A  chemical  substance  used  for  killing  plants, 
especially  weeds. 


HERBIVORE 


An  organism  that  feeds  on  plant  material, 
(See  Carnivore) 


HETEROGENEOUS 


Consisting  of  dissimilar  elements  or  constituents, 
(See  Homogeneous) 


HETEROTROPHIC 
(Holozoic) 


Pertaining  to  organisms  that  are  dependent 

on  organic  material  for  food.   (See  Autotrophic) 


HIGHER  AQUATIC 
PLANTS 
(Pond  Weeds, 
Aquatic  Vascular 
Plants) 


Those  plants  composed  of  complex  and  differentiated 
tissues  whose  seeds  germinate  in  the  water  phase  or 
substrate  of  a  body  of  water  and  which  must  spend 
part  of  their  life  cycle  in  water.   This  grouping 
includes  plants  which  grow  completely  submersed 
as  well  as  a  variety  of  emersed  and  floating  leaf 
types.   (See  Macrophyte) 


H-2 
HOLOPHYTIC 

HOLOZOIC 

HOMOGENEOUS 

HOMOTHERMOUS 

HYPOLIMNION 


(Autotrophic) 

(Heterotrophic) 

Of  uniform  composition  throughout. 

Having  the  same  temperature  throughout. 

The  region  of  a  body  of  water  that  extends 
from  the  thermocline  to  the  bottom  and  is 
essentially  removed  from  major  surface 
influences.   (See  Epilimnion) 


IDENTIFICATION 


I-  / 

The  use  of  a  taxonomic  key  or  the  equivalent 

to  determine  the  scientific  name  of  an  organism. 


INCIDENTAL  DRIFT 


The  casual,  random  drift  of  organisms. 
(See  Drift  Organisms,  Catastrophic  Drift, 
Periodic  Drift) 


INCIPIENT  LETHAL 
LEVEL  (ILL) 


That  concentration  of  an  environmental  identity 
beyond  which  an  organism  could  no  longer 
survive  for  an  indefinite  period  of  time. 


INDICATOR  ORGANISMS 


A  species,  whose  presence  or  absence  may  be 
characteristic  of  environmental  conditions  in 
a  particular  area  or  habitat;  however,  species 
composition  and  relative  abundance  of  individual 
components  of  the  population  or  community  are 
usually  considered  to  be  a  more  realiable 
index  of  water  quality. 


INDIGENOUS 


Refers  to  an  organism  that  is  native,  not 
introduced  in  an  area. 


INDIRECT  TOXICITY 


INLET 


Toxicity  that  affects  organisms  by  interfering 
with  their  food  supply  or  modifying  their 
habitat  instead  of  directly  acting  on  the 
organisms  themselves.   (See  Direct  Toxicity) 

A  short,  narrow  waterway  connecting  a  bay, 
lagoon,  or  similar  body  of  water  with  a  large 
parent  body  of  water;  an  arm  of  the  sea,  or 
other  body  of  water,  that  is  long  compared  to 
its  width,  and  that  may  extend  a  considerable 
distance  inland. 


1-2 
INSTAR 


A  stage  in  the  life  cycle  of  an  insect  or  other 
arthropod  between  two  successive  molts . 


INTERACTION 


Mutual  or  reciprocal  action  or  influence  between 
organisms,  between  organisms  and  environment , 
or  between  environmental  factors. 


INTERSPECIFIC 


Refers  to  relations  or  conditions  between 
species.   (See  Intraspecific) 


INTERTIDAL  ZONE 


(Tidal  Zone) 


INTOLERANT 
ORGANISMS 


(Sensitive  Organisms) 


INTRASPECIFIC 


Refers  to  relations  or  conditions  between 
individuals  within  a  species.   (See 
Interspecific) 


INVERSE  ESTUARY 


Type  of  est  ary  in  which  evaporation  exceeds 
the  supply  of  freshwater;  evaporation  > 
freshwater  inflow  +  precipitation.   (See 
Positive  Estuary,  Neutral  Estuary) 


INVERTEBRATES 


Animals  without  an  internal  skeletal  structure; 
e.g.,  insects,  mollusks,  crayfish.   (See 
Veterbrate) 


LAGOON 


w 

1.  A  shallow  sound,  pond,  or  channel  near 
or  communicating  with  a  larger  body  of 
water. 

2.  A  settling  pond  for  treatment  of  wastewater. 


LARVA 


The  immature  form  of  an  animal  which  is  unlike 
its  parents.   Larva  are  usually  self-feeding 
but  must  pass  through  some  sort  of  metamorphosis 
before  assuming  the  characteristics  of  the 
adult;  in  insects,  the  wormlike  stage  between 
the  egg  and  the  pupa. 


LAW  OF  THE  MINIMUM, 
LIEBIG'S 


"The  growth  and  reproduction  of  an  organism 
is  dependent  on  the  nutrient  substance,  such 
as  oxygen,  carbon  dioxide,  calcium,  etc.,  that 
is  available  in  minimum  quantity."   (See 
Limiting  Factor) 


LAW  OF  TOLERANCE, 
SHELFORD ' S 


"When  one  environmental  factor  or  condition  is 
near  the  limits  of  toleration,  either  minimum 
or  maximum,  that  one  factor  or  condition  will 
be  the  controlling  one  and  will  determine 
whether  or  not  a  species  will  be  able  to 
maintain  itself."   (See  Limiting  Factor) 


LENTIC 


Pertaining  to  standing  (nonflowing)  waters 
such  as  lakes,  ponds,  and  swamps.   (See  Lotic) 


LIFE  CYCLE 


The  various  phases,  changes,  or  stages  through 
which  an  individual  passes  from  the  fertilized 
egg  to  death  of  the  mature  organism.   (See 
Metamorphosis) 


L-2 


LIMITING  FACTOR 


A  factor  whose  absence,  or  excessive  concentration, 
exerts  some  restraining  influence  upon  a 
population  through  incompatibility  with  species 
requirements  or  tolerance.   (See  Law  of  the 
Minimum ,  Law  of  Tolerance) 


LIMNETIC  ZONE 


The  open -water  region  of  a  lake,  especially  in 
areas  too  deep  to  support  rooted  aquatic  plants. 
This  region  supports  plankton  and  fish  as  the 
principal  plants  and  animals .   (See  Littoral 
Zone) 


LIMNOLOGY 


The  ecology  of  fresh  waters . 


LITTORAL  ZONE 


The  shallow  area  that  extends  from  shore  to 
the  lakeward  limit  of  rooted  aquatic  plants; 
the  shoreward  region  of  a  body  of  water;  in 
marine  ecology,  the  tidal  zone.   (See  Limnetic 
Zone) 


LOTIC 


Pertaining  to  flowing  waters  such  as  streams 
and  rivers.   (See  Lentic) 


M-/ 


MACROORGANISMS       Those  organisms  visible  to  the  unaided  eye 
(Macroinvertebrates)  ^  wh±ch  ^   retained  on  a  u.  S.  standard 

sieve  no.  30  (openings  of  0.589  mm.).   (See 
Microorganisms) 


MACROPHYTE 


Any  plant  that  can  be  seen  with  the  naked, 
unaided  eye;  e.g.,  aquatic  mosses,  ferns, 
liverworts,  rooted  plants,  etc. 


MARL 


An  earthy,  unconsolidated  deposit  formed  in 
freshwater  lakes,  chiefly  of  calcium  carbonate 
mixed  with  clay  or  other  impurities  in 
varying  proportions. 


MARSH 


Periodically  wet  or  continually  flooded  area 
with  the  surface  not  deeply  submerged.   Covered 
dominantly  with  emersed  aquatic  plants;  e.g., 
sedges,  cattails,  rushes. 


MEDIAN  TOLERANCE 
LIMIT  (TLm) 


The  concentration  of  tested  substance  in 
water  at  which  just  50%  of  the  test  organisms 
survive  for  a  specified  period  of  exposure. 
(See  Tolerance  Limit) 


MEROMICTIC  LAKES 


Lakes  in  which  dissolved  substances  create 
a  gradient  of  density  differences  with  depth; 
this  prevents  complete  mixing  or  circulation 
of  water  masses.   (See  Chemical  Stratification) 


M-2 


MEROMIXIS 


A  condition  of  permanent  stratification  of 
water  masses  in  lakes. 


MESOLIMNION 


(Thermocline) 


METABOLISM 


The  sum  of  all  chemical  processes  occurring 
within  an  organism;  includes  both  synthesis 
(anabolism)  and  breakdown  (catabolism)  of 
organic  compounds. 


METALIMNION 


(Thermocline) 


METAMORPHOSIS 


Abrupt  transformation  of  an  animal  from  one 
distinctive  life  history  stage  to  another 
in  its  postembryonic  development;  e.g., 
larva  of  an  insect  to  a  pupa.   (See  Life  Cycle) 


MICROORGANISMS       Those  minute  organisms  invisible  or  only  barely 

(Microinvertebrates)   .  ..,      ,     ,,  . 

visible  to  the  unaided  eye.   Microorganisms 

pass  through  a  U.  S.  standard  series  no.  30 

sieve  but  are  retained  on  a  no.  100  sieve 

(openings  of  0.149  mm).   (See  Macroorganisms) 


MOLT 


To  cast  or  shed  periodically  the  outer  body 
covering  which  permits  an  increase  in  size. 
This  is  especially  characteristic  of  inverte- 
brates.  (See  Ins tar) 


MOTILE 


( Free-Swimming) 


NANOPLANKTON 


N-/ 


Very  minute  p lankton  not  retained  in  a  plankton 
net  equipped  with  no.  25  silk  bolting  cloth 
(mesh,  0.03  to  0.04  mm.). 


NATIVE  SPECIES 


A  species  that  is  part  of  an  area's  original 
biota. 


NATURAL  SELECTION 


Processes  occurring  in  nature  which  result  in 
survival  of  the  fittest  and  elimination  of 
individuals  less  well  adapted  to  their 
environment. 


NAUPLIUS 


Free-swimming  microscopic  larval  stage 
characteristic  of  many  crustaceans,  barnacles, 
etc. 


NEAP  TIDES 


Exceptionally  low  tides  which  occur  twice  each 
month  when  the  earth,  sun  and  moon  are  at 
right  angles  to  each  other;  these  usually 
occur  during  the  moon's  first  and  third 
quarters.   (See  Spring  Tides) 


NEKTON 


Macroscopic  organisms  swimming  actively  in 
water;  e.g.,  fish.   (See  Plankton) 


NERITIC  ZONE 


Relatively  shallow  water  zone  which  extends 
from  the  high-tide  mark  to  the  edge  of  the 
continental  shelf. 


NET  PLANKTON 


Plankton  retained  in  a  plankton  net  equipped 
with  no.  25  silk  bolting  cloth  (mesh,  0.03 
to  0.04  mm. ) . 


N-2 
NEUSTON 


Organisms  associated  with,  or  dependent 
upon,  the  surface  film  (air-water  interface) 
of  bodies  of  water. 


NEUTRAL  ESTUARY 


Type  of  estuary  in  which  neither  the  freshwater 
inflow  nor  the  evaporation  predominates; 
freshwater  inflow  +  precipitation  -  evaporation. 
(See  Positive  Estuary,  Inverse  Estuary) 


NICHE 


(See  Ecological  Niche.  Habitat  Niche) 


NOCTURNAL 


Pertaining  to  those  organisms  that  are  active 
at  night.   (See  Diurnal) 


NUISANCE  ORGANISMS 
(Pests) 


Those  organisms  capable  of  interfering  with 
the  use  or  treatment  of  water. 


NUTRIENTS 


Elements,  or  compounds,  essential  as  raw 
materials  for  organism  growth  and  development; 
e.g.,  carbon,  oxygen,  nitrogen,  phosphorus, 
etc. 


NYMPH 


An  immature  developmental  form  characteristic 
of  the  pre-adult  stage  in  insects  that  do  not 
have  a  pupal  stage;  e.g.,  mayflies  and 
stoneflies.   (See  Larva) 


<W 


OBLIGATE 


Limited  to  one  mode  of  life  or  action.   (See 
Facultative) 


OCEANIC  ZONE 


The  region  of  open  ocean  beyond  the  continental 
shelf. 


OLIGOTROPHY  LAKES 


OMNIVOROUS 


OPTIMUM  LEVEL 


ORGANISM 


OSMOREGULATION 


OVERTURN 
(Turnover) 


Deep  lakes  which  have  a  low  supply  of  nutrients, 
thus  they  support  very  little  organic  production. 
Dissolved  oxygen  is  present  at  or  near  saturation 
throughout  the  lake  during  all  seasons  of  the 
year.   (See  Eutrophic  Lakes) 

Feeding  on  both  plant  and  animal  tissue.   (See 
Herbivorous.  Carnivorous) 

The  most  suitable  degree  of  an  environmental 
factor  for  the  full  development  of  the  organism 
concerned.   (See  Tolerance  Range) 

Any  living  individual. 

The  adjustment  in  the  osmotic  concentration  of 
solutes  in  body  fluids  in  organisms  to 
environmental  conditions;  e.g.,  when  salmon 
migrate  from  salt  to  freshwater. 

The  period  of  mixing,  by  top  to  bottom  circulation, 
of  previously  stratified  water  masses .  This 
phenomenon  may  occur  in  spring  and/or  fall;  the 
result  is  a  uniformity  of  physical  and  chemical 
properties  of  the  water  at  all  depths.   (See 
Thermal  Stratification,  Chemical  Stratification, 
Spring  Overturn,  Fall  Overturn) 


0-2 

OXYGEN  DEBT 


A  temporary  phenomenon  that  occurs  in  an 
organism  when  available  oxygen  is  inadequate 
to  supply  the  respiratory  demand.  During 
such  a  period  the  metabolic  processes  result 
in  the  accumulation  of  breakdown  products  that 
are  not  oxidized  until  sufficient  oxygen 
becomes  available. 


OXYGEN  DEFICIT 


The  difference  between  observed  oxygen 
concentration  and  the  amount  that  would 
theoretically  be  present  at  100%  saturation 
for  existing  conditions  of  temperature  and 
pressure. 


PARASITE 


m 

An  organism  that  lives  on  or  in  a  host  organism 
during  all  or  part  of  its  existence.  Nourishment 
is  obtained  at  the  expense  of  the  host. 


PATHOGEN 
PELAGIC  ZONE 


An  organism  or  virus  that  causes  a  disease. 

The  open  sea,  away  from  the  shore.  Comparable 
with  the  limnetic  zone  of  lakes . 


PERIODIC  DRIFT 


Drift  of  bottom  organisms  at  regular  or 
predictable  intervals  such  as  diurnal, 
seasonal,  etc.   (See  Drift  Organisms. 
Catastrophic  Drift.  Incidental  Drift) 


PERIPHYTON 
(Aufwuchs) 


Attached  microscopic  organisms  growing  on 
the  bottom,  or  other  submersed  substrates, 
in  a  waterway. 


PESTICIDE 


Any  chemical  preparation  used  to  kill  pests. 
Includes  insecticides,  herbicides,  fungicides, 
etc. 


PESTS 


(Nuisance  Organisms) 


PHOTOSYNTHESIS 


The  metabolic  process  by  which  simple  sugars 
are  manufactured  from  carbon  dioxide  and 
water  by  plant  cells  using  light  as  an 
energy  source.   (See  Chlorophyll) 


PHOTIC  ZONE 


(Euphotic  Zone) 


P-2 
PHYTOPLANKTON 


The  plants  of  the  plankton.  Unattached 
microscopic  plants  subject  to  movement  by 
wave  or  current  action.   (See  Zooplankton) 


PLANKTON 


Suspended  microorganisms  that  have  relatively 
low  powers  of  locomotion,  or  that  drift  in 
the  water  subject  to  the  action  of  waves  and 
currents.   (See  Benthos,  Periphyton,  Nekton) 


POND  WEEDS 


(Higher  Aquatic  Plants) 


POOLS 


Areas  of  a  stream,  where  the  velocity  of 
current  is  reduced.  The  reduced  velocity 
provides  a  favorable  habitat  for  plankton. 
Silts  and  other  loose  materials  that  settle 
to  the  bottom  of  pools  are  favorable  for 
burrowing  forms  of  benthos.   (See  Riffle) 


POPULATION 


A  group  of  interacting  individuals  of  the 
same  species ,  area,  or  community . 


POSITIVE  ESTUARY 


Coastal  indentures  in  which  there  is  a 
measurable  dilution  of  sea  water  by  land 
drainage;  freshwater  inflow  +  precipitation  > 
evaporation.   (See  Inverse  Estuary,  Neutral 
Estuary) 


POTAMON  ZONE 


Stream  reach  at  lower  elevations  characterized 
by  reduced  flow,  higher  temperature,  and 
lower  dissolved  oxygen  levels .   (See  Rithron 
Zone) 


P-3 
PREDATOR 


An  animal  that  kills  and  consumes  other 
animals.   (See  Prey) 


PREDOMINANT 


Those  organisms  that  are  of  outstanding 
abundance  in  a  particular  community  for  a 
given  period  of  time.   (See  Dominant) 


PREY 


An  animal  that  is  killed  and  consumed  by 
another  animal.   (See  Predator) 


PRIMARY 
PRODUCTIVITY 


The  total  quantity  of  protoplasm  produced  by 
autotrophic  organisms  per  unit  of  time  in  a 
specified  habitat. 


PRODUCERS 


Organisms  that  synthesize  organic  material 
from  inorganic  substances;  e.g.,  plants. 
(See  Consumers,  Reducers) 


PRODUCTION 


The  process  of  producing  organic  material;  the 
quantity  produced. 


PRODUCTIVITY 


1.  Rate  of  protoplasm  formation  or  energy 
utilization  by  one  or  more  organisms; 
total  quantity  of  organic  material 
produced  within  a  given  period  in  a 
specified  habitat. 

2.  Capacity  or  ability  of  an  environmental 
unit  to  produce  organic  material.  (See 
Primary  Productivity,  Secondary  Productivity) 


P-4 

PROFUNDAL  ZONE 


The  deep,  bottom-water  area  beyond  the  depth 
of  effective  light  penetration.  All  of  the 
lake  floor  beneath  the  hypolimnion. 


PROLIFIC 


Pertaining  to  organisms  that  have  a  high 
reproduction  rate  and  normally  produce  large 
numbers  of  young. 


PROTOPLASM 


The  living  material  in  cells  of  plants  and 
animals . 


PUPA 


An  intermediate,  usually  quiescent,  form 
following  the  larval  stage  in  insects,  and 
maintained  until  metamorphosis  to  the 
adult  stage.   (See  Larva) 


Q-/ 

QUALITY  A  term  to  describe  the  composite  chemical, 

physical,  and  biological  characteristics  of 
a  water  with  respect  to  its  suitability 
for  a  particular  use. 

QUIESCENT  Refers  to  the  temporary  cessation  of  development. 

movement  or  other  activity.   (See  Puoa) 


R-/ 


RAPIDS 


Areas  of  a  stream  where  velocity  of  current 
is  great  enough  to  keep  the  bottom  clear  of 
all  loose  materials,  thus  providing  a  firm 
substrate.  The  surface  of  the  water  is 
disrupted  by  turbulent  currents.  This  area 
is  occupied  largely  by  specialized  benthic 
or  periphytic  organisms  that  can  firmly  attach 
or  cling  to  a  firm  substrate.   (See  Pools, 
Riffles) 


RED  TIDE 


A  visible  red-to-orange  coloration  of  an 
area  of  the  sea  caused  by  the  presence  of  a 
bloom  of  certain  plankton.  These  blooms  are 
often  the  cause  of  major  fish  kills. 


REDD 


A  type  of  fish  spawning  area  associated  with 
flowing  water  and  clean  gravel.  Fishes  that 
utilize  this  type  of  spawning  area  include 
trout,  salmon,  some  minnows,  etc. 


REDUCERS 
(Decomposers) 


Those  organisms,  usually  bacteria  or  fungi, 
that  break  down  complex  organic  material  into 
simpler  compounds.   (See  Producers,  Consumers) 


REEF 


A  ridge  of  rocks,  sand,  soil  or  coral  projecting 
from  the  bottom  to  or  near  the  surface  of  the 
wat  er . 


RESPIRATION 


The  complex  series  of  chemical  and  physical 
reactions  in  all  living  organisms  by  which 
the  energy  and  nutrients  in  foods  is  made 
available  for  use.  Oxygen  is  used  and  carbon 
dioxide  released  during  this  process.   (See 
Metabolism) 


R-2 
RIFFLES 


A  shallow  rapids  in  an  open  stream  where  the 
water  surface  is  broken  into  waves  by  wholly 
or  partly  submerged  obstructions.   Riffles 
usually  support  a  wider  variety  of  bottom 
organisms  than  other  stream  sections.   (See 
Pools) 


RITHRON  ZONE 


Stream  reach  at  higher  elevations  characterized 
by  rapid  flow,  low  temperature,  and  high 
dissolved  oxygen  levels.   (See  Potamon  Zone) 


ROUGH  FISH 


Those  species  of  fish  considered  to  be  of 
poor  fighting  quality  when  taken  on  tackle; 
e.g.,  carp,  gar,  suckers,  etc.  These  fish 
are  considered  undesirable  in  most  situations, 
Most  species  in  the  group  are  more  tolerant 
of  widely  changing  environmental  conditions 
than  game  fish. 


s-/ 


SALT  MARSH 


Low  area  adjacent  to  the  sea  that  is  covered 
with  salt  tolerant  vegetation  and  regularly 
flooded  by  high  tide;  similar  inland 
areas  near  saline  springs  or  lakes ,  though 
not  regularly  flooded. 


SAPROBIC 


Living  on  dead  or  decaying  organic  matter. 
(See  Scavenger) 


SAPROBICITY 


The  sum  of  all  metabolic  processes  which  are 
the  direct  opposite  of  primary  production; 
can  be  measured  either  by  the  dynamics  of 
metabolism  or  analysis  of  community  structure. 


SAPROBIENSYSTEM 


European  system  of  classifying  organisms 
according  to  their  response  to  organic 
pollution  in  slow  moving  streams. 

1.  Alpha-Mesosaprobic  Zone  -  Area  of  active 
decomposition,  partly  aerobic,  partly 
anaerobic,  in  a  stream  heavily  polluted 
with  organic  wastes. 

2.  Beta-Mesosaprobic  Zone  -  That  reach  of  a 
stream  that  is  moderately  polluted  with 
organic  wastes. 

3.  Oligosaprobic  Zone  -  That  reach  of  a 
stream  that  is  slightly  polluted  with 
organic  wastes  and  contains  the  mineralized 
products  of  self-purification  from  organic 
pollution,  but  with  none  of  the  organic 
pollution  remaining. 


S-2 


4.  Polysaproblc  Zone  -  That  area  of  a 

grossly  polluted  stream  which  contains 
the  complex  organic  wastes  that  are 
decomposing  primarily  by  anaerobic 
processes. 


SCAVENGER 


An  organism  that  consumes  decomposing  organic 
matter. 


SECONDARY 
PRODUCTIVITY 


Total  quantity  of  animal  (and  other 
heterotrophic)  protoplasm  produced  per  unit 
of  time  in  a  specified  habitat.   (See  Primary 
Productivity,  Productivity) 


SEICHE 


Periodic  oscillations  in  the  water  level  of 
a  lake  or  other  landlocked  body  of  water  due 
to  unequal  atmospheric  pressure,  wind,  or  other 
cause,  which  sets  the  surface  in  motion.  These 
oscillations  take  place  when  a  temporary  local 
depression  or  elevation  of  the  water  level  occurs. 


SENSITIVE  ORGANISMS 
(Intolerant 
Organisms) 


Organisms  that  exhibit  a  rapid  response  to 
environmental  changes  and  are  killed,  driven 
out  of  the  area,  or  as  a  group  are  substantially 
reduced  in  numbers  when  their  environment  is 
fouled.   (See  Tolerant  Association) 


SESSILE 


Pertaining  to  those  organisms  that  are 
attached  to  a  substrate  and  not  free  to 
move  about;  e.g.,  periphyton.   (See  Free- 
Swimming) 


S-3 
SESTON 


All  material,  both  organic  and  inorganic, 
suspended  in  a  waterway.  Bioseston  is  the 
living  material;  abioseston  is  the  non-living 
portion. 


SLUDGE  DEPOSITS 


Accumulations  of  settled,  usually  rapidly 
decomposing,  organic  material  in  the  aquatic 
system.  A  deposit  of  solids  of  wastewater 
origin. 


SLIMES 


Substances  of  viscous  organic  nature,  usually 
formed  from  microbiological  growth. 


SLUDGEWORMS 


Aquatic  segmented  worms  (class  -  Oligochaeta) 
that  exhibit  marked  population  increases  in 
waters  polluted  with  decomposable  organic 
wastes.   (See  Bloodworms) 


SPAWN 


1.  In  aquatic  animals,  to  produce  or  deposit 
eggs  or  sperm. 

2.  To  produce  eggs  or  young. 

3.  Eggs  of  fishes  and  higher  aquatic 
invertebrates. 


SPECIES 
(Both  singular 
and  plural) 


An  organism  or  organisms  forming  a  natural 
population,  or  groups  of  populations ,  that 
transmit  specific  characteristics  from 
parent  to  offspring.   Each  species  is 
reproductively  isolated  from  other  populations 
with  which  they  might  breed.   Hybrids,  the 
results  of  interbreeding,  usually  exhibit  a 
loss  of  fertility. 


S-4 

SPORT  FISH 


(Game  Fish) 


SPRING  OVERTURN 


A  physical  phenomenon  that  may  take  place 
in  a  body  of  water  during  the  early  spring. 
The  sequence  of  events  leading  to  spring 
overturn  include:   (1)  melting  of  ice  cover, 
(2)  warming  of  surface  waters,  (3)  density 
changes  in  surface  waters  producing  convection 
currents  from  top  to  bottom,  (A)  circulation 
of  the  total  water  volume  by  wind  action,  and 
(5)  vertical  temperature  equality.  The 
overturn  results  in  a  uniformity  of  the 
physical  and  chemical  properties  of  the  entire 
water  mass.   (See  Fall  Overturn,  Overturn) 


SPRING  TIDE 


Exceptionally  high  tide  which  occurs  twice 
per  lunar  month  when  there  is  a  new  or  full 
moon,  and  the  earth,  sun,  and  moon  are  in  a 
straight  line.   (See  Neap  Tides) 


STANDARD 


STANDING  CROP 


STENO- 


(Water  Quality  Standard) 

The  quantity  of  living  organisms  present  in 
an  environment  at  a  selected  point  in  time. 

Prefix  denoting  a  narrow  range  of  tolerance 
of  an  organism  to  a  specific  environmental 
factor;  e.g.,  stenothermal  refers  to  temperature; 
stenohaline  refers  to  salienity;  etc.   (See  Eury-) 


STIMULUS 


An  influence  that  causes  a  response  in  an 
organism.   (See  Taxis) 


S-5 


STRATIFICATION 
(Density 
Stratification) 


Arrangement  of  water  masses  into  separate, 
distinct,  horizontal  layers  as  a  result  of 
differences  in  density;  may  be  caused  by 
differences  in  temperature,  dissolved  or 
suspended  solids.   (See  Thermal  Stratification, 
Chemical  Stratification) 


STRESS 


The  conditions  resulting  from  any  environmental 
change  that  disturbs  the  normal  functioning  of 
an  animal  to  such  an  extent  that  its  chances 
for  survival  are  reduced. 


SUBLITTORAL  ZONE 


The  part  of  the  shore  from  the  lowest  water 
level  to  the  lower  boundary  of  plant  growth; 
transition  zone  from  the  littoral  to 
profundal  bottom. 


SUBMERSED 
(Submerged) 
AQUATIC  PLANTS 


Higher  aquatic  plants  that  grow,  or  are 
adapted  to  grow,  beneath  the  surface  of  the 
water;  e.g.,  pondweed,  coontail,  etc. 


SUBSTRATE 


The  bottom  material  of  a  waterway;  the  base 

or  substance  upon  which  an  organism  is  growing; 

a  substance  undergoing  oxidation. 


SUMMER  KILL 


Complete  or  partial  kill  of  a  fish  population 
in  ponds  or  lakes  during  the  warm  months; 
variously  produced  by  excessively  warm  water, 
by  a  depletion  of  dissolved  oxygen,  and  by 
the  release  of  toxic  substances  from  a  decaying 
algal  bloom,  or  by  a  combination  of  these 
factors.   (See  Winter  Kill) 


S-6 

SUPRALITTORAL  ZONE 
(Supratidal  Zone) 


The  portion  of  the  seashore  adjacent  to  the 
tidal  or  spray  zone. 


SURFACE  AQUATIC 
PLANTS 


(Floating  Aquatic  Plants) 


SYMBIOSIS 


Two  organisms  of  different  species  living 
in  close  association,  one  or  both  of  which 
may  benefit  and  neither  is  harmed.   Such  a 
phenomenon  is  found  among  organisms  in  biological 
treatment  processes. 


SYNERGISM 


The  joint  action  of  two  or  more  substances  is 
greater  than  the  sum  of  the  action  of  each 
of  the  individual  substances;  e.g.,  action  of 
certain  combinations  of  toxicants.  The 
improvement  in  performance  achieved  because 
two  agents  are  working  together.   (See 
Antagonism) 


SYNTHESIS 


The  production  of  a  substance  by  the  union 
of  elements  or  simpler  chemical  compounds. 


SYSTEMATICS 


(Taxonomy) 


T-/ 


TAXIS 


Directed  movement  by  an  organism  in  response  to 
a  stimulus;  e.g.,  photo taxis  is  directed  movement 
in  response  to  a  light  stimulus;  thermo taxis  is 
directed  movement  in  response  to  heat  or  cold 
as  a  stimulus;  etc. 


TAXON  (Taxa) 


A  "kind"  of  organism. -  Any  taxonomic  unit  or 
category  of  organisms;  e.g.,  species,  genus, 
family,  order,  etc. 


TAXONOMY 
(Systematics) 


Organism  classification  with  reference  to  their 
precise  relationship  in  the  plant  or  animal 
kingdom;  includes  the  bases,  principles, 
procedures  and  rules  of  classification. 


TERRESTRIAL 


Growing,  living,  or  peculair  to  the  land,  as 
opposed  to  the  aquatic  environment. 


TERRITORY 


The  area  which  an  animal  defends  against 
intruders. 


THERMAL 
STRATIFICATION 


The  layering  of  water  masses  owing  to  different 
densities  in  response  to  temperature.   The 
condition  of  a  body  of  water  in  which  the 
successive  horizontal  layers  have  different 
temperatures ,  each  layer  more  or  less  sharply 
differentiated  from  the  adjacent  ones,  the 
warmest  (or  the  coldest)  at  the  top.   (See 
Overturn) 


T-2 


THERMOCLINE 
(Mesolimnion, 
Metalimnion) 


The  transition  zone  between  the  warm  epilimnion 
and  cold  hypolimnion  of  stratified  bodies  of 
water;  temperature  change  equals  or  exceeds 
1°C  for  each  meter  of  depth.   (See  Thermal 
Stratification) 


THRESHOLD 
(Critical  Level) 


The  maximum  or  minimum  duration  or  intensity 
of  a  stimulus  that  is  required  to  produce  a 
response  in  an  organism. 


TIDAL  FLAT 


The  sea  bottom,  usually  wide,  flat,  muddy  and 
nonproductive,  which  is  exposed  at  low  tide.  A 
marshy  or  muddy  area  that  is  covered  and 
uncovered  by  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  tide. 


TIDAL  MARSH 


A  low,  flat  marshland  that  is  traversed  by 
interlacing  channels  and  tidal  sloughs; 
periodically  inundated  by  high  tides;  vegetation 
consists  of  rushes,  grasses,  and  other  salt 
tolerant  plants. 


TIDAL  ZONE 
(Eulittoral  Zone, 
Intertidal  Zone) 


The  area  of  a  shore  between  the  limits  of 
water  level  fluctuation;  the  area  between 
the  levels  of  high  and  low  tides. 


TIDE 


The  alternate  rising  and  falling  of  water 
levels,  twice  in  each  lunar  day,  due  to 
gravitational  attraction  of  the  moon  and  sun 
in  conjunction  with  the  earth's  rotational 
force. 


TL*  (TL50) 


(Median  Tolerance  Limit) 


T-3 
TOLERANCE 


Relative  capability  of  an  organism  to  endure 
or  adapt  to  an  unfavorable  environmental 
factor. 


TOLERANCE  LIMIT 
(TL10...100) 


The  concentration  of  a  substance  which  some 
specified  portion  of  an  experimental  population 
can  endure  for  a  specified  period  of  time  with 
reference  to  a  specified  type  of  response;  e.g., 
TL100  means  tnat  all  test  organisms  endured 
the  stress  for  the  specified  time;  TLiq  means 
only  10%  of  the  test  organisms  could  tolerate 
the  imposed  stress  for  the  specified  time. 
(See  Median  Tolerance  Limit) 


TOLERANCE  RANGE 


TOLERANT 
ASSOCIATION 


The  range  of  one  or  more  environmental 
conditions  within  which  an  organism  can 
function;  range  between  the  highest  and 
lowest  value  of  a  particular  environmental 
factor  in  which  an  organism  can  live. 

An  association  of  organisms  capable  of 
withstanding  adverse  conditions  within  the 
habitat.  This  association  is  often  characterized 
by  a  reduction  in  the  number  of  species  (from 
a  clean  water  association)  and,  in  the  case  of 
organic  pollution,  an  increase  in  individuals 
representing  certain  species. 


TOXICANT 


A  substance  that  through  its  chemical  or 
physical  action  kills,  injures,  or  impairs 
an  organism;  any  environmental  factor  which, 
when  altered,  produces  a  harmful  biological 
effect.   (See  Pesticide) 


T-4 
TOXICITY 


Quality,  state  or  degree  of  the  harmful  effect 
resulting  from  alteration  of  an  environmental 
factor. 


TRIPTON 


The  dead  suspended  particulate  matter  in 
aquatic  habitats;  the  nonliving  portion  of 
the  Seston. 


TROPHIC  LEVEL 


One  of  the  parts  in  a  nutritive  series  in  an 
ecosystem  in  which  a  group  of  organisms  in  a 
certain  stage  in  the  food  chain  secures  food 
in  the  same  general  manner.  The  first  or 
lowest  trophic  level  consists  of  producers 
(green  plants) ;  the  second  level  of  herbivores ; 
the  third  level  of  secondary  carnivores . 
Most  bacteria  and  fungi  are  organisms  in  the 
reducer  (decomposer)  trophic  level. 


TROPHOGENIC 
REGION 


The  area  of  a  body  of  water  where  organic 
production  from  mineral  substances  takes 
place  on  the  basis  of  light  energy  and 
photosynthetic  activity. 


TROPHOLYTIC 
REGION 


The  deep  area  of  a  body  of  water  where  organic 
breakdown  predominates  because  of  light 
deficiency. 


TURNOVER 


(Overturn) 


u-/ 


UBIQUITOUS 

ORGANISMS 


Organisms  that  can  tolerate  a  wide  range  of 
environmental  conditions  or  variation;  organisms 
that  are  so  active  or  numerous  as  to  seem  to 
be  present  or  existent  in  all  types  of 
environments.   (See  Tolerant  Association. 
Sensitive  Organisms) 


UNICELLULAR 


Refers  to  an  organism  that  consists  of  only 
one  cell;  e.g.,  blue  green  algae,  protozoa, 
bacteria.   These  organisms  may,  however, 
be  filamentous  or  colonial  in  form. 


V-  / 

VERTEBRATES  Animals  that  have  an  internal  skeletal 

system.   (See  Invertebrate) 


w-/ 


WATER  POLLUTION 


Alteration  of  the  aquatic  environment  in 
such  a  way  as  to  interfere  with  a  designated 
beneficial  use. 


WATER  QUALITY 
CRITERIA 


"A  scientific  requirement  on  which  a  decision 
or  judgement  may  be  based  concerning  the 
suitability  of  water  quality  to  support  a 
designated  use."  (See  Water  Quality  Standard) 


WATER  QUALITY 
STANDARD 


"A  plan  that  is  established  by  governmental 
authority  as  a  program  for  water  pollution 
prevention  and  abatement."  (See  Water  Quality 
Criteria) 


WINTER  KILL 


The  death  of  fishes  in  a  body  of  water  during 
a  prolonged  period  of  ice  and  snow  cover; 
caused  by  oxygen  exhaustion  due  to  respiration 
and  lack  of  photosynthesis.   (See  Summer  Kill) 


z-/ 

ZONE  An  area  characterized  by  similar  flora 

or  fauna;  a  belt  or  area  to  which  certain 
species  are  limited. 

ZOOPLANKTON  The  animals  of  the  plankton.  Unattached 

microscopic  animals  having  minimal  capability 
for  locomotion. 


SELECTED  REFERENCES        ^  ^ 


Anon.  Glossary  -  Water  and  Wastewater  Control  Engineering. 

Prepared  by  Joint  Editorial  Board  Representing  APHA,  ASCE, 
AWWA,  WPCS.   1969. 

Anon.   Report  of  The  Committee  on  Water  Quality  Criteria.  USDI, 
FWPCA.   1968. 

Anon.   Resource  Conservation  Glossary.   Soil  Conservation 
Society  of  America.  Ankeny,  Iowa.   1970. 

Edmonson,  W.  T.   (Editor).  Ward  and  Whipple's  Freshwater  Biology. 
Second  Edition.  John  Wiley  &  Sons,  Inc.  New  York.   1959. 

Geckler,  J.  R. ,  K.  M.  Mackenthun  and  W.  M.  Ingram.  Glossary  of 

Commonly  Used  Biological  and  Related  Terms  in  Water  and  Waste 
Water  Control.  USDHEW,  PHS  No.  999-WP-2.   1963. 

Hanson,  H.  C.  Dictionary  of  Ecology.  Philosophical  Library. 
New  York.   1957. 

Ingram,  W.  M. ,  K.  M.  Mackenthun  and  A.  F.  Bartsch.  Biological  Field 
Investigative  Data  for  Water  Pollution  Surveys.   USDI,  FWPCA, 
WP-13.  Pages  17-46.   1966. 

Kenneth,  J.  H.  (Editor).  A  Dictionary  of  Biological  Terms.  Eighth 
Edition.   D.  Van  Nostrand  Company,  Inc.  New  York.   1963. 

Ludzack,  F.  J.   Glossary  of  Wastewater  and  Surface  Water  Technology. 

Reference  Outline  Series.  USDI,  FWPCA,  National  Training  Center, 
Cincinnati.   1968. 

Needham,  J.  G.  and  P.  R.  Needham.  A  Guide  to  the  Study  of  Freshwater 
Biology.   Fifth  Edition.  Holden-Day,  Inc.   San  Francisco.   1962. 

Odum,  E.  P.   Fundamentals  of  Ecology.  W.  B.  Saunders  Company. 
Philadelphia.   1959. 

Pennack,  R.  W.   Collegiate  Dictionary  of  Zoology.  The  Ronald  Press 
Co.  New  York.   1964. 

Pennack,  R.  W.   Fresh-Water  Invertebrates  of  the  United  States. 
The  Ronald  Press  Co.  New  York.   1953. 


z-3 

Rechard,  P.  A.  and  R.  McQuisten.   Glossary  of  Selected  Hydrologlc 
Terms.  Water  Resources  Research  Institute,  University  of 
Wyoming,  Laramie.  Water  Resources  Series  No.  1.   1966  (Revised 
1968) . 

Reid,  G.  K.  Ecology  of  Inland  Waters  and  Estuaries.  Reinhold 
Publishing  Corporation.  New  York.   1961. 

Ruttner,  F.   Fundamentals  of  Limnology.  University  of  Toronto  Press. 
Third  Edition.  Toronto,  Ontario.   1963. 

Stewart,  K.  M.  and  G.  A.  Rohlich.   Eutrophication  -  A  Review.   A 
Report  to  the  State  Water  Quality  Control  Board,  California. 
Publication  No.  34.   Sacramento.   1967. 

Storer,  T.  I.  and  R.  L.  Usinger.   General  Zoology.  McGraw-Hill  Book 
Co.,  Inc.  New  York.   1957. 

Sverdrup,  H.  U. ,  M.  W.  Johnson  and  R.  H.  Fleming.  The  Oceans, 

Their  Physics,  Chemistry,  and  General  Biology.  Prentice  Hall, 
Inc.  New  York.   1942. 

Welch,  P.  S.   Limnology.   Second  Edition.   McGraw-Hill  Book  Co. 
New  York.   1952. 


*  US.eOVH»«(0«TI>l<llt™GOfnCfcl972-     759-303/2118